After 86 Weeks, ‘Fridays Without Fitzpatrick’ Comes To A Close

Rain, snow, high winds, and sunny skies were among the different types of weather a group of dedicated Democratic demonstrators dealt with outside Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s office over the past 86 weeks.

The weekly “Friday’s Without Fitzpatrick” demonstration took to One Summit Square on the corner of Newtown-Langhorne Road and the Newtown Bypass in Middletown. However, the organizers decided recently to close the ongoing demonstration before the November 6 general election.

Over the months, the group’s themes have varied from Republican President Donald Trump’s tone and actions to Fitzpatrick’s stance on issues.

The group hopes that Democratic congressional candidate Scott Wallace will take the seat come Tuesday.

Attendees noted that the event initially began in early 2017 with the name “Fridays With Fitzpatrick” but “with” was changed to “without” after the congressman did not stop out.

“We feel ignored and betrayed by a Congressman who fears honest open communication with his constituents in a forum where perhaps he can be challenged (and documented) about the wide discrepancy between what he says through his public images versus the Trumpian way he votes,” a letter dropped off for the congressman read.

Organizer Steve Cickay, a Newtown resident, said the final Fridays Without Fitzpatrick was not a “divisive partisan event, but in the light of recent violence in our country, a plea for peace and understanding and for leaders who will unify and not divide our country.”

In the parking lot of One Summit Square, The Peace Center Executive Director Barbara Simmons spoke about “The Ten Commandments of the Peace Warrior” and urged the activists to stay strong.

Ordained minister Adrienne Morgado performed a Reiki blessing and worked to interpret the energy of the group ahead of the election.

While Fridays Without Fitzpatrick came to a close, environmental activist Sharon Furlong said she expects friendships made through the demonstration will be kept.

Lower Makefield resident Paul Roden, a chemist, said he missed a few demonstrations because he was gardening at home but attended many over the past nearly two years.

“I was late to this party, but I think it has been fantastic,”  he said.

Cickay said the weekly event was one of the longest running demonstrations ever held in Bucks County.